Magic realism is a difficult genre to put into film, but director Alfonso Arau does a great job of it in Como agua para chocolate. This novel-based film tells the story of Tita who is forbidden to marry because of an old family tradition. She is in love with Pedro who eventually marries Tita's sister to be close to his true love. One of the many elements of magic realism included in the film is Tita's cooking. She can make people happy, sad or sick by the emotion that she puts into cooking her food and there are many episodes where we see this happen. Each of these majestic events, including the incidents with the food and others, are made in a way that they don't appear entirely impossible. They do come off a bit strange at times, but there is meaning behind each event and it is clear during and/or after. With a classic plot line of forbidden love, Como agua para chocolate comes together nicely in the end with elements of magic realism that ultimately add to the film.
Review of Like Water for Chocolate
